The first batch of Zimbabwe's cricket team has begun their journey home after being stranded in India due to the closure of Gulf airspace, a consequence of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has arranged alternative travel arrangements, and the team is returning to Harare in batches. The first group of players left India on Wednesday, while the final group is expected to depart on Friday.

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Zimbabwe's T20 World Cup campaign was marked by memorable wins against Australia and Sri Lanka; however, it ended abruptly as they failed to progress beyond the Super Eights.

The Zimbabwean team's departure, originally slated for March 2, was postponed due to the Gulf airspace closure triggered by escalating tensions between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition.

"Zimbabwe Cricket confirms that the Zimbabwe senior men's team participating in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 are on their way home from India after the International Cricket Council secured alternative travel arrangements following recent transit disruptions," the board said in a statement on 'X'.

"Due to flight availability and revised routing, the squad will return to Harare in batches. The first group of players departed India today, Wednesday, while the final group is scheduled to leave on Friday afternoon," it added.

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Zimbabwe's original travel plans, which involved a Dubai-bound Emirates flight, were discarded due to the closure of Gulf airspace. The team is now rerouted through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, en route to Harare.

The West Indies cricket team was also stranded in India due to the same reason, but there has been no update on its travel plans yet.

(With Agency Inputs)